New California Law Asks Paid Websites, Social Media Users to Disclose Campaign Contributions, Spending

The law requires paid sites that post messages of support or opposition to a candidate to include a disclaimer indicating the affiliation.

Researcher Andre Souza works in Facebook's "War Room," which is focused on misinformation, during a media demonstration in Menlo Park, Calif., on October 17, 2018. Noah Berger/AFP via Getty Images

A bill requiring a disclaimer on the internet and apps, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X—formerly known as Twitter—by paid spokespersons, social media influencers, or organizations involving candidates in the election process passed the Legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 1.

“I want to thank Governor Newsom, the [Fair Political Practices Commission], and my legislative colleagues for recognizing the need to embrace campaign transparency with internet content,” Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), the bill’s author, said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times Sept. 9. “Californians deserve transparency in our elections process in all forms: print, television, and digitally.”